I have been doing a lot of exploring of cruises this winter to try and find some new ideas for us to try. We have been thinking about a cruise in the Norwegian Fjords, but a Red Sea cruise sound intriguing, too.

My only concern with the Red Sea cruises is safety in ports. How safe is it for tourists in locations like Jordan, Egypt, and some of the other Middle East ports of call?

I don't think I would be concerned in most Red Sea ports though there has been some activity in Egypt by the Muslim Brotherhood in the East of the country. I'm not sure of specific areas of activity. I think mostly in the Sinai.

The British go to the Red Sea all the time, it is well known as a snorkel and diving destination. There are some big resorts on the Egypt side, and these places are generally removed from most of the general population.

There are some really great things to see on a Red Sea cruise - assuming you go on a cruise line that gives you time to see these things.

You can travel 2-3 hours by bus from Safaga and be in the Valley of the Kings on the Nile - to see the temples of Luxor and the tombs of some the greatest kings. You can stop at Sharm el Sheik and travel to St Catherine's Monastery, the oldest still operating monastery in the world - known as the site of the "Burning Bush" of Moses, and you can get off in Aqaba, Jordan and go to the amazing stone city of Petra.

I have done all these things. You would be well distanced from the troubles in Cairo, Damascus, etc.

I am not saying it is a GREAT time to go - but if I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to go, I would take it. I think it is worth the time and I doubt you will have any trouble. Of course, travel insurance would be a good idea just in case.

I strongly agree with Paul; some wonderful sites to see and traveling by cruise ship is the way to do it. I would recommend a cruise with an overnight in Aqaba so you have plenty of time for Petra and Wadi Run.

I am reposting here because i did some research - and apparently there have been some recent events which have resulted in warnings specifically by Germany to avoid Sharm el Sheik and the Nile Delta (Cairo and Alexandria).

So, I will agree with Manuel at this time - it probably is not a good time to visit Egypt.

Apparently there is some backlash to the ousting of the Islamist Mabarek by militants. They have made threats specifically to tourists - most likely in an effort to hurt the economy under the current regime in power.